Light fixture apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1961 IN VEN TOR. Hem/21c LEE 6/?[EN ATTORNEYS Jan. 14, 1964 F. L. GREEN 3,117,732

LIGHT FIXTURE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 14, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PIE E INVENTOR. Hem/21c LEE GREEN ATTORNEYS United States Fatent C 3,117,732 LIGHT FDQTURE APPARATUS Frederic Lee Green, El Cerrito, Calif., assignor of onehalf to Preston A. Jones, San Rafael, and one-half to Waliace Runswick, Berkeley, Caiif.

Filed Aug. 14, 1951, Ser. No. 131,229 1 Claim. (ill. 240-147) The present invention relates to light fixtures of the variety that are partially or entirely recessed within a ceiling or wall and is particularly directed to means for supporting the transparent closures or light diffusers of fixtures of this type for selective pivotal movement to an open position which facilitates access to the interior of the fixtures without detachment of the closures therefrom.

In present day building practice light fixtures are often recessed into a ceiling or wall with the light diffuser or closure flush therewith. In other fixtures of a more ornate type, the diffuser globe is partially recessed into the fixture housing such that when the housing is recessed into the ceiling only the globe appears to project therefrom. In either case it has been commonly necessary to completely detach the diffuser from the fixture in order to gain access to its interior and facilitate changing of light bulbs and the like.

Advantages are to be gained by providing a pivotal mounting for the diffuser of recessed or partially recessed fixtures of the foregoing type such that the diffuser may be pivoted away from the fixture to an open position whereby access to the interior of the fixture is facilitated without detachment of the diffuser. It will be appreciated, however, that formidable problems are posed in pivotally mounting the diffuser inasmuch as at least a portion thereof is recessed into the fixture housing and would normally engage same to prevent pivoting.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide pivotal mounting means for the diffuser of a recessed or partially recessed light fixture by which the diffuser may be pivoted to an open position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of mounting means of the class described wherein the pivot point of the diffuser is displaceable from a position within the fixture housing to a position exteriorly thereof in which pivotal movement of the diffuser is not obstructed by the housing or ceiling.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a pivotal mounting for the diffuser of a recessed fixture whereby the diffuser is self-leveling in its closed position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide mounting means of the class described that is adjustable to accommodate ceilings or walls of different thicknesses.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claim.

FIGURE 1 is a plan sectional view through a recessed fixture having a projecting diffuser globe secured thereto by pivotal mounting means in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken at line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken at line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 illustrating particularly the varied ceiling thickness adjustment feature of the mounting means.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view with portions broken away of a modified form of the pivotal mounting means as employed in a recessed fixture with a flush mounted diffuser.

3,117,732 Patented Jan. 14-, 1954 FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of another modified form of pivotal mounting means as employed with a dilferent type of fixture having a flush mounted diffuser.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 5 but illustrating a further modification of the mounting means to provide a water-tight fixture for outdoor use.

Considering now the invention in some detail and referring to the illustrated forms thereof in the drawings, there is provided pivotal mounting means for securing a diffuser, in the form of a globe, plate, or the like, in closed relation to a bulb containing light fixture housing for recessed mounting in a ceiling or wall. It is of particular importance to note that the mounting means is arranged to facilitate pivotal movement of the diffuser about an axis which is movable from a position within the housing to a position exteriorly thereof. When the axis is exteriorly positioned, pivotal movement of the diffuser thereabout is unobstructed by the housing. In the accomplishment of the foregoing, the mounting means generally comprises a yoke member that is centrally pivotally mounted between the housing walls so as to be tiltable from a position entirely within the housing to a position wherein a portion of the yoke protrudes from the housing. A mounting member adapted to support a diffuser is then pivotally secured to the portion of the yoke member that is protrudable from the housing. Such mounting member is releasably locked in parallel relation to the yoke such that upon tilting thereof the mounting member may be released and pivoted away from the yoke without obstruction by the housing.

Considering now the general structure of the mounting means in greater detail with reference to several preferred forms thereof and referring first to FIGURES l to 3, there will be seen to be provided a cupped cylindrical housing 11 having an annular flange 12 spaced from its open end. The flange supports the housing in recessed position relative to a ceiling 13, the lower open end of the housing extending partially through a hole 14 therein. A socket 16 depends centrally from the upper end wall of the housing for receiving a light bulb 17. Of course, more than one bulb or other types of light sources may be alternatively employed in the fixture. In addi tion, a dilfuser globe 18 is mounted in substantially closing relation to the open end of the housing, such globe preferably having a neck portion U enclosed within the lower end of the housing and enlarged lower portion 20 which flares outwardly from the neck to closely underlie the ceiling. To this extent the fixture is substantially conventional.

It can be readily seen that the globe 18 would normally engage the walls of the housing as well as about the ceiling in the event the globe was directly pivotally connected to the housing and it was attempted to pivot the globe away from same, pivotal movement of the globe being thus prevented. However, the mounting means of the present invention described generally hereinbefore is employed to secure the globe to the fixture housing and thereby enable the globe to be pivoted away therefrom to an open position. More explicitly, the yoke member is provided as a ring 21 which is pivotally connected at diametrically opposed points 22 to brackets 23. The brackets are in turn secured in diametrically opposed relation to the interior wall surface of the housing 11 and function in a manner subsequently described.

The mounting member is likewise provided as a ring 24 similar to the yoke ring 21 and disposed in coaxial end abutment with its lower edge. Ring 24 is pivotally connected to ring 21 at a point displaced from the pivot points 22 as by means of a hinge 26. A plurality of circumferentially spaced set screws 27 extend through the ring 24 in threaded relation thereto and engage the underside of a lip 28 at the upper end of the globe neck portion 19. Other means could of course be carried by the mounting ring to facilitate securance of the globe thereto.

The releasable locking means for locking the yoke and mounting members in parallel relation may be variously provided and in the instant embodiment such means preferably comprises a spring clip 29. The clip is secured to either of the rings in diametric opposition to the hinge 26 and has a projecting lug portion 31 for resiliently engaging the other ring when the two rings are in coaxial end abutment as shown in full line in FIGURE 2.

In order to gain access to the interior of housing 11 to replace the bulb 17 or the like it will be appreciated that the spring clip 29 is first disengaged to free the rings from each other. The portion of the yoke ring 21 carrying the hinge 26 is pivoted downward and the mounting ring 24 is pivoted away therefrom as depicted in phantom line in FIGURE 2 thus moving the globe away from the fixture housing to an open position which permits access to the fixture interior. The globe may be thereafter returned to closed position by pivoting the rings towards each other and engaging the spring clip while levelling the rings. It will be appreciated in this regard that the mounting means of the present invention imparts a self-levelling action to the globe.

Considering now more particularly the yoke ring mounting brackets 23 it will be noted that same facilitate vertical adjustment of the globe to accommodate ceilings of varied thicknesses. To this end, the brackets each include a guide channel 33 secured to the interior wall of the housing with the web of the channel spaced from the hous ing wall and extending vertically thereof. An elongated mounting plate 34 is slideably disposed within the channel with one of the yoke ring pivots being at its lower end. In addition a cap screw 36 extends through a vertically extending slot 37 in the channel web into threaded engagement with the plate. Hence the cap screws 36 may be loosened to facilitate sliding of the plates 34 in the channels within the limits of the slots 37 and adjustment of the entire mounting means to various vertical positions. When a desired position is attained the cap screws are tightened to thus fix the mounting means in such position.

A somewhat modified form of mounting means is de picted in FIGURE 4 to accommodate a fixture having a rectangular housing 38 and a rectangular plate diifuser 39. In this case the yoke is provided as a right angular U-shaped band 41 pivotally connected at the mid-points of its parallel sides to brackets 42, of the same type as brackets 23 previously detailed, which are in turn interiorly secured to opposite side walls of the housing. A mounting frame 43 is received within the band and pivotally connected between the ends of its parallel sides as indicated at 44. More specifically, the frame includes a rectangular base plate 46 having a central rectangular aperture 47 therein. An upwardly projecting closed side wall 49' is provided on the plate intermediate its exterior edges and the edges of the aperture. The diffuser 39 is supported upon the base plate 46 within the side wall 49 and in overlying relation to the aperture 47. The pivotal connection 44 between the band and frame are to the side wall 49 and, moreover, the exterior of such side wall is engageable within the band. In addition, a spring clip 51 similar to clip 29 or equivalent means is provided to releasably lock the band and mounting frame together when they are in closed parallel position. The band and mounting frame just described function in an entirely "analogous manner to that of the rings 21, 24 of the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 3.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, a modified form of the mounting means is illustrated as employed in a recessed I} fixture having a cylindrical housing 52 with a circular plate diffuser 53 to be mounted flush with a ceiling 54. This fixture and the diffuser mounting means are similar to those of the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 3 except they are adapted to the employment of the plate diffuser instead of the globe 18. More specifically, yoke and mounting rings 56, 57 are provided in identical relation to each other and to the housing 52 as the rings 21, 24 described hereinbefore. Mounting ring 57, however, has an annular inwardly and outwardly projecting flange 58 at its lower end. The inwardly projecting portion of the flange serves to support the diffuser 53 which is concentrically disposed within the mounting ring. The outwardly projecting portion of the flange is preferably slightly upwardly turned as indicated at 59 to flushly engage the ceiling.

A fixture including dilfuser mounting means in accordance with the present invention as modified for outdoor use is shown in FIGURE 6. This fixture is generally similar to that of FIGURE 5 in that a cylindrical housing 61, circular plate diffuser 62, yoke ring 63 and mounting ring 64 with a flange 66 at its lower end are provided. However, the ring 64 has an inwardly projecting rim 67 that is spaced from the inwardly projecting portion of flange 66 to define a groove therebetween. The periphery of diffuser 62 is disposed in the groove with an annular sealing member 68 interposed between the diffuser and rim 67. The outwardly projecting upwardly turned portion of the flange 66 is provided with an enlarged end face 69 from which an annular rib 71 projects. Such rib is engageable with an annular groove 72 in the end face of housing 61 and which carries an annular sealing member 73. Finally, it is to be noted that the yoke ring 63 is of an enlarged thickness with longitudinally extending tapped bores 74 which receive screws 76 extended longitudinally through the outwardly projecting portion of the mounting ring flange 66. Thus when the rings are in closed position, the screws 76 may be tightened to urge the rib '72 into tight engagement with the sealing member73 in the groove 72 and provide a water-tight seal therebetween. Inasmuch as the diffuser is also sealably secured within the mounting ring, it will be appreciated that the housing interior is rendered water-tight.

What is claimed is: A light fixture comprising a light source enclosing housing having an open end and adapted for recessed mounting in a wall opening, a yoke member, a pair of opposed bracket means mounted within said housing for selective vertical adjustment towards and away from its open end, means for securing said brackets against movement in selected adjusted position, said yoke member centrally pivotally connected to said bracket means, a mounting member pivotally connected to said yoke member for movement about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the 'yoke member, said mounting member engageable with a wall in which said housing is mounted, a ditfuser supported by said mounting member, and releasable holding means securing said yoke member and mounting member together in parallel relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 968,375 Lungren Aug. 23, 1910 1,852,757 Richard Apr. 5, 1932 2,120,449 Vanderveld June 14, 1938 2,727,776 Brownlee et al. Dec. 20, 1955 2,855,504 MacDougall et al. Oct. 7, 1958 2,869,908 Ford Ian. 20, 1959 2,971,670 McCormack Feb. 14, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 723,387 France Jan. 13, 1932 

